Memory Improvement in Assisted Living: A Closer Look
Here’s an unfortunate fact: between 2000 and 2018, deaths caused by HIV, heart disease and stroke have decreased significantly while those from Alzheimer’s disease increased by 146.2%.
One of the biggest fears equated with aging is dementia and eventually, Alzheimer’s that has taken the lives of millions of elderly patients around the world.
This is why the goal of every memory assisted living facility today is to help residents improve their memory and hopefully slow down the progression of their disease.
The Study
A pilot study was conducted on seven residents in a Midwestern memory assisted living facility to test an intervention designed for memory improvement.
The participants took a six-session memory program based on data from qualitative research that identified the most common memory challenges for residents.
The researchers used both the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test for performance and Memory Complaint in Age-Associated Impairment (MAC-Q) for memory self-efficacy as tools for comparing data before and after the intervention was introduced.
After the program, the residents showed an improvement in memory self-efficacy for remembering names, lists of items, facts, and phone numbers. Three out of the seven participants also showed an improvement in recalling first and/or last names.
This study revealed that cognitive interventions that are designed specifically for the elderly population in memory assisted living can offer significant improvements to their memory.
Although ongoing tests on a larger number of participants still need to be done to determine if the said interventions will result in some positive effects on daily functioning, it offers huge hopes for people in memory assisted living facilities and for the loved ones of patients in these facilities that somehow they can enjoy a better quality of life and not be completely debilitated by their disease.
The other Initiatives to Boost Memory
As medical experts continue to work on interventions that will help improve the memory of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, memory assisted living communities are also implementing these lifestyle interventions that could slow cognitive decline and boost overall brain health:
- Nutrition: Most assisted living communities follow a cooking program that’s geared towards brain-boosting nutrition. Some facilities adapt the Mediterranean-style diet that includes vegetables, dark berry fruits, whole grains, olive oil, and seafood.
This is because some studies have shown that eating a Mediterranean diet can help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or make it worse.
- Exercise: Research shows that exercise is not only beneficial for the body but also the mind. In fact, exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and delay its onset.
Exercise routines can include yoga, strength and cardiovascular training, and aerobics.
Memory assisted living facilities all to have one goal to help promote the best quality of life for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
But at the end of the day, their care should be a collaborative effort between carers and loved ones to make sure that they have the best time while staying in these residences.
Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend
